In NATO Allies Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, keeping the skies safe is a team effort. Welcome to Benelux Air Policing!
Synopsis
Across Europe, NATO fighter jets are on duty around the clock, ready to scramble in case of suspicious or unannounced flights near the airspace of our Allies. NATO calls this activity Air Policing, which has been an integral part of NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence for 60 years. In this series, we’ll explore NATO’s five special air policing arrangements to ensure the integrity of NATO’s airspace and the defence of our almost one billion citizens.
In the Western European countries of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, keeping the skies safe is a team effort. In an arrangement known as Benelux Air Policing, the Belgian and Dutch Air Forces trade responsibility for patrolling the skies over the three countries.
Footage includes shots of Belgian Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons.
Transcript
TEXT ON SCREEN
LOCATION: BELGIUM, THE NETHERLANDS, LUXEMBOURG
FEATURED AIRCRAFT: BELGIAN AIR FORCE F-16s
SAFE SKIES: NATO AIR POLICING
BELGIUM, THE NETHERLANDS AND LUXEMBOURG
ARE KNOWN AS THE BENELUX COUNTRIES
THEY SHARE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SECURING THEIR AIRSPACE
AND INTERCEPTING ANY UNIDENTIFIED AIRCRAFT
LUXEMBOURG DOES NOT HAVE AN AIR FORCE
SO THE BELGIAN AND DUTCH AIR FORCES
ROTATE AIR POLICING DUTIES
ENSURING SAFE AIR TRAFFIC OVER THE BENELUX COUNTRIES
AND KEEPING NATO AIRSPACE SECURE
Music
“Kick Start” by Lee Groves and Peter George Meritt
This media asset is free for editorial broadcast, print, online and radio use. It is restricted for use for other purposes. Some footage courtesy of the Belgian Air Force.
